Red Bull hoping for another 'crazy' Baku race

Red Bull remain guarded on their chances of victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, despite Daniel Ricciardo's "crazy" win in Baku last year and a similarly thrilling victory in China last time out. Ricciardo came from 17th to win a crazy Baku race last year.

Despite the Baku street circuit including the longest straight on the Formula 1 calendar, which traditionally hampers the Renault-powered teams, Ricciardo emerged from an action-packed race to win there in 2017 after Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton had come to blows on-track.

Victory in Shanghai last weekend was forged in quick-thinking strategy and an improvement in pace, putting Ricciardo in confident mood.

"Last year Baku was crazy in so many ways for so many people," he said of a victory which featured an incredible triple overtake.

"Just like last week in Shanghai the team had an awesome strategy and made some great calls in the race.

"Did I think we would carve our way all the way up to first? No way. But everyone in front was dropping like flies, I was making some good overtakes and there was just all this momentum keeping me going.

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"Crossing the line I was a bit confused, thinking how did we just win that race but also ecstatic. It was crazy, fun race and definitely one to remember.

"Baku is different to other street circuits – because there are places where you can pass. Actually, lots of places where you can pass. As opposed to Monaco and Singapore where there's not many places to overtake really."

Max Verstappen is in need of a good result in Baku after his fifth-place finish in Shanghai and collision with Sebastian Vettel.

"Baku is a cool place so I enjoy going there and driving the track," Verstappen said.

"It's a nice circuit even though it isn't ideally suited to our car. The straight is so long which means we miss out on some valuable time there.

"Last year I think we managed to drive around our problems really well and therefore be competitive come the race day.

"The castle section looks great on TV and is also a lot of fun to drive. It is really tight so you have to be precise turning in as there is no room for error, especially with the wider cars we have now."